Health Books

This book had so much great information I could not believe it. It is easy to find virtually any subject matter that is related. While, during and after reading this book I went through my house and eliminated many bad things that I never knew could be harmful to my family. I has really helped us change our lives in a very positive way. If you have anyone you love in your home including yourself read this book and get educated for your own safety! I leave it on the kitchen counter and refer to it often. Some times I even shock a friend or two that visits with some of the information in there and they have gone on to change the way they live as well after having some very important facts given to them. Awesome and worthy of a read and the cost. This ones a keeper :)

This book covers a wide range of topics, from building/remodeling materials to cleaners and personal products. Mine is already earmarked, underlined and highlighted, and I've purchased more as gifts for family and friends. Debra Lynn Dadd is an expert and her work is also very readable; succinct and not dry.

This book is a great read for someone who wants to learn about environmental issues in the home without the fear factor. It's factual and articulate, without being overwhelming or emotional in a way that makes you doubt the information.

This book had a lot of info in it. Worth the read.

This book was a real eye opener for me during my first read--EYE OPENER!. I went through every chapter with a fine tooth comb and to tell you the truth I was shocked. Shocked because I have been assuming, up to this point, that the products I was using, in my household, in my hair, on my skin (the stuff I grew up on, the stuff Grandma always used--oh ya during WWII maybe...) were safe. Now I know this is USUALLY NOT the case. I learned later on that most of the crap I was used to using belonged right in the trash can. That is where everything eventually ended up. The next day I decided to start from scratch. I have used this book as a continuous reference, a Bible if you will. I have also purchased a cosmetic dictionary to help me understand all of the chemical yahoo they put in body products as well. The best thing I learned to do is read labels--READ THE LABELS! Now I know that I am doing the best for myself and my family. If the FDA cannot protect me--by George I am doing something to protect myself and those around me! This book changed my life and gave me an excellent education about how toxic our homes and body products REALLY are. Now...I rather dislike the companies who make toxic cleaning products, makeup, body produts and food. My hope is that someday this world will stop supporting the bad stuff and move on to the good.

I got this book yesterday afternoon and I have been gobbling it up! Right from the start I identified with the writing. I, too, had a feeling that my evening at the outdoor amphitheater that July 26th night in 2005 could change my life. I didn't know how and so I ignored my irrational feelings. I went to the ballet and although we were sitting inside I must have picked up the tick as we walked across the lawn to the amphitheater. 10 days later, almost to the hour, I was very, very sick. The Lyme crossed the blood brain barrier and I have had neurological and emotional problems. My stupid neurologist says I am "in the normal range" even when I have vertigo and was falling back on my head walking down the street, have huge memory gaps, sometimes make no sense, etc. I told him it wasn't normal for me, but ended up getting nowhere and leaving his office in tears.
My boyfriend of 12 years (with whom I attended the ballet that night) became very frustrated and angry. I am no longer the same woman he signed up for. We separated in the Fall of 2007. He felt I was not "trying hard enough" to get better.
My family thinks I am mentally ill. In fact over the last 9 months I have been misdiagnosed with either depression or Bipolar II disorder and mis-medicated, which DID make me pretty crazy. I am now convinced I ought not to be on any medications but treat myself holistically. I have been medication free for one month and that has made a huge difference for me.
So, I am so thankful for the book! I am finding out that I need to listen to myself and not depend on doctors to be able to fix me or even diagnose me correctly. I have been changing my diet and using it as my medicine. I have been making sure to get outside and walk or recently I can bicycle again! Soak in some sun. Surround myself with positive people--no angry boyfriend--as much as possible. I am painting again.
I think I was already headed in this direction -- after 11 months of putting my hope and trust in, then floundering in, medical offices, hitting my head against (figurative) wall after wall. Laura Bruno's book gives me such strength and hope for this journey.

I actually was only going to read this book to prepare myself for the radio interview with this author (May 29, 2008 on In Short Order at [...]). Instead, I found myself glued to the pages of valuable information from a patient's view. By reading this book, those who know or take care of a person with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) will be better able to understand what the victim is going through - a better handle on things makes for a better friend/family member or care provider. Those who treat TBIs would benefit from this book more than most - what you can't see on tests can be learned here and therefore validate the diagnosis more quickly so that treatment can begin at an earlier stage. For those with a TBI, Lyme disease, or any disabling affliction, this book is your pair of ruby slippers.

Bruno equates a TBI to The Wizard of Oz classic. Although I have Lyme disease (which in many cases can be likened to a TBI), and can relate and benefit from this book, I never saw it put so simply - and well written. Just as Dorothy is whisked to another place, it is the same with most injuries and illnesses. We leave the life we know for a place we have never been before (and few want to make it a vacation spot). Come take the first step on the yellow brick road - where the journey to recovery begins.

Glinda (as we remember as the good witch) starts us on the path. Contacting organizations and support groups is an important step. Who doesn't need support, information, and to hear from others on virtually the same path? There are many things to do to prepare us for the first steps to recovery, but often we forget where we need to begin. Order is the way to end chaos. Support is the way to end aloneness. And information is the way to the next steps that must be taken if recovery is the goal. And don't forget, some who have grown accustomed to your disability-state may not want you to recover - learn why in "If I Only Had A Brain Injury."

There are the ruby slippers and the wicked witch. The information in this section is most helpful because it starts us focusing more closely on ourselves. Here we can begin to turn the injury or disease into a new beginning. When we beat ourselves up or refuse to accept what we cannot change, we slow or halt our journey. Forgiveness and identifying change are good things.

Okay, we're on our way. We may not be skipping yet, but we can add pep to our steps when we look at what can remove some of the stumbling blocks that have been preventing us forward movement on our road to recovery. Bruno learned that buying quality electronics (a computer monitor) cut down on her headaches and dizziness; which allowed her to work; which enabled her to earn a paycheck; which helped her to feel she was still in Kansas.

There are more ideas that are presented in this work - classical music, relationships with animals, and cultivating new friendships, to name a few. These will open new doors in the land of Oz and you may even discover new things about yourself that you never knew existed.

In "If I Only Had A Brain Injury," Bruno has given us a map of the Emerald City, introduced us to the Munchkins, and provided a beacon for anyone who is associated with injuries and disease. It is a one-of-a-kind book.

This a must read for all, with hopes that you find an owl in your life, too.


Sue Vogan
[...]

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is a delightful, powerful and highly informative book. Beautifully written, Laura Bruno draws upon her experiences with her own Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from a car accident. Her descriptions are vivid, deeply and personal. The book is very supportive and is an excellent resource for those dealing with Traumatic Brain Injuries and their caregivers. The book is also vitally important for those dealing with challenging and mysterious health issues like Chronic Fatigue, Lyme Disease and Migraines.

Bruno tells her own story while expertly weaving her insights within the context of the Wizard of Oz. I loved the humor, playfulness and utter seriousness in the book in the chapter titles and content. In the chapter, Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bruno states that her aim is, "...to inspire you and to guide you to resources that will empower you to take control over your own health and wellbeing."

Gradually after Bruno's own accident she began to realize that she had entered into a new land, and needed to learn anew. She recounts these realizations in the chapter, We're not in Kansas Anymore. Bruno says, " Like Dorothy, I knew I could not return the way I arrived. Like Dorothy, I eventually found my way "back home," but I took the Technicolor journey with me. I wrote this book to help others to do so, to."

And, like Dorothy following the yellow brick road to find her way back home to Kansas, the book emphasizes actions you can take in your recovery from the symptoms of these various illnesses that are so mysterious to the medical community. Bruno says in the chapter titled "Glinda," that "This chapter suggests ways to find the Glinda's along your journey...Even in the Wizard of Oz, Glinda prefers to help Dorothy help herself." She includes an excellent listing of resources to contact. For instance, she notes that you might want to contact a Behavioral optometrist that specializes in connections in mind, body and vision because "...a majority of people with neurological issues suffer from visual impairment. If you have any of the flowing symptoms, you may benefit from visual therapy or prism lenses: Concentration problems; Double vision; Headaches; Difficulty reading; Balance disorders; Clumsiness; Eyestrain; Intolerance of flickering lights; Intolerance to varied backgrounds; Panic Attacks; Easily becoming overwhelmed; Vertigo.

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is like a breath of fresh air as it offers hope where typically there is none. As Bruno notes, so many head injuries and their effects are not detected, diagnosed or treated. Many people are told that they do not show any medical evidence of a medical injury even though they are experiencing severe difficulties in daily functioning since the time of their accident or since the onset of their illness. And, even when a brain injury and trauma is recognized, there have been very limited resources to assist in continued rehabilitation.

My level of awareness about the nature of head injuries and its effects has risen dramatically from reading this book. This includes helping me to understand some of my own experiences from knocking my head with numerous falls off of horses, minor car accidents and some of my own hard to diagnose symptoms. I now keep this book by my bedside for personal quick reference and I also have a copy available in my office for those clients who have had head injuries.

If I only Had a Brain Injury is an excellent resource that I very highly recommend for anyone who has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as their family members, caregivers, medical professional and therapists. For anyone whose life has been touched in some manner with a Traumatic Brain Injury or by any illness that has been a medical mystery, this book will be of great value.

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is a beautifully conveyed book that is not only practical, simplistic, and full of easy to apply tips and tremendously helpful, thorough resources, but is also an artistic expression of genuine experience and compassion that takes one on a journey through Oz. Utilizing Dorothy and her friends' experiences to illustrate our own unfolding life processes creates a tangible and easily understood analogy, and coupled with Laura's own personal experiences, truly hits home and creates a relateability that transcends all boundaries. This is not only helpful for those with TBI and medical challenges as listed, but truly is a guideline and means of support for any and all challenges in life that can be simply applied. Finding myself challenged in overly mental focusing and truly not having the desire to do so either, I found Laura's book wonderfully supportive to this. It was easy, quick, and very clear, with nothing to have to read between the lines or mentally figure out. One can open the book to any page and find something valuable easily without it feeling out of context. This works well for people like myself who either don't have time to read, don't have much desire to read, or little focus to do so. You can pick up and leave off at any point and never feel lost and get exactly what you need at every turn. Laura is a beautiful example and expression for us all and one can only look forward to more wonderful books to come from her.

Injury took some mental abilities away.
Through that loss, author Laura Bruno,
finds an alternative path to health and
trusting herself. She demystifies many
medical mysteries all the while reassuring
those in similar situations not to suffer alone the
embarrassment and self consciousness of a
brain that is learning to function again -
perhaps differently. If I Only Had a Brain
Injury is a compendium of spiritual and
emotional support. It includes 52 healing
hints while leading its readers to become
wizards of their own healing. It offers
support to the caregiver and acknowledges
how events changes all involved.
Ultimately Laura Bruno wants everyone
to find their own deeper meaning of
injury - an opportunity to connect the
mind and heart - to live deeply, meaningfully,
and creatively through one's
essence.

I own the book, I've read the book, I'M IN THE BOOK!

I echo the sentiments of I believe all of us who were honored to share our story with everyone, and, if this helps just ONE person achieve the inspiration to help themselves defeat this 'enemy' called weight control, then what we endured was worth the journey.

Thank you, Dr. Rankin, for allowing me help not only myself, but those fortunate to purchase this great book.

Dr. Rankin captured real life in these stories. Readers can relate to these stories. Some of them are beyond what I am going thru and but after reading them I realized if they could lose their weight, so could I.
The book is an easy reading book, and you won't want to put it down once you start reading it.
A wonderful book of what TOPS (Take Off Pounds Senisbly) is all about. Thank you Dr. Rankin.
Diane H. Urbaniak

I found this book to be exactly what it suggests.....INSPIRING. I liked the stories of what finally motivated these men and women to start to lose weight and how they succeeded in making it work for them. I am in Weight Watchers now, and like it very much, and I find that this books goes along very well with what I am learning in my WW meetings. It's the kind of book I'll pick up over and over to reread and keep me motivated. Anne Fletcher's books are in my "motivation basket," too, but I'm happy to find this one, and wish there were more like it.

On too many occasions, books that are dedicated to helping people lose weight are too full of the basic "I ate less and started exercising more" stories. How boring (even though it's true). I want to hear about people that will INSPIRE me to keep going when all I want to do is quit. We all love to hear about how someone triumphs over adversity to reach their goal. Weight loss is no different. If it were truly that easy to lose weight then there would be a lot less overweight people in the U.S. And I doubt most overweight people would agree that the reason that they overeat is so that they can be treated poorly by society or to set themselves up for having a weight related disease such as heart disease or diabetes. Losing weight is a complex issue. It takes more than just eating less and exercising more. The stories that Dr. Rankin has insightfully included in his book deal with people who have low self-esteem, were abused as children or were just raised in families with skewed eating habits. It takes a very courageous person to get through the underlying issues and make their health a priority. Dr. Rankin sensitively approaches the many challenges that overweight people face. After reading this book, you will not only have more empathy for yourself if you are overweight but also for any other overweight person.

In this book the author summarizes the stories of people who struggled with their weight i would say mainly people who are over 300lbs. I have a lot of respect for the people who decided to share their stories in this book. At the same time i was hoping to read more about people who were not over 300lb but still struggled with eating healthy and exercising. Sorry to say but I found the stories very depressing and for some reason i wasn't able to finish the book and i put it away. It is very touching but it was not the type of motivation that i was looking to read. What's amazing is that these people were overweight but managed to fall in love and get married...how insecure could they have been? It proves to me that appearance is not everything because someone had noticed them and overlooked their weight problem and at some point they felt comfortable enough to feel attracted to someone...which for me is very difficult to even think about dating anyone when i am overweight.

This is a wonderfully inspiring and reassuring story. Mary Jo has given us a generous and lovely gift, sharing so much of her journey. And the writing, with the collaboration of Mary Harper, is superb. I know the writing is very good when I can imagine that I am right there in the experience.

As a psychotherapist and art therapist, I was impressed with how Mary's near-death experience brought her to what we call a "teachable moment," that space in which we suddenly perceive life in a radically different way. The book reinforces the value of connectedness--within ourselves, to our families and friends, and to God, however we might perceive God to be. I found myself grateful for Mary Jo, and the grace that she is able to extend by being present to people she encounters during their teachable moments. This book is short and simply written, yet speaks volumes. I recommend it to anyone in the health profession seeking to understand the connection between health and spirituality.

Mary Jo Rapini's intimate story of suffering and recovering from a brain aneurysm is nothing short of inspirational and speaks of the important role played by family, friends, and health care professionals in the healing process. Even those of us who identify as agnostic or atheist can respect and learn from Rapini's need to put her faith in a God as she bravely confronts her own mortality. Is God Pink? Dying to Heal, is a beautifully written and carefully constructed book. A worthwhile read for anyone who has ever faced a serious health crisis.

Mary Jo Rapini's book is a must read for anyone who works with illness, lives with or cares for ailing loves ones, or anyone facing or reluctant to explore one's own mortality. This work left me inspired, hopeful and humbled.

It's difficult to say that I 'enjoyed' this book ---- it's hard to read about someone's near death and about cancer and find it enjoyable; but, am so glad that I did read it! Mary Jo's experiences are definitely interesting, heart wrenching, and understandable. I've been telling lots of folks about this book and even bought additional copies to give to people. I would strongly encourage anyone to buy this book!

For those frustrated with off-the-rack diets and an apparent inability to lose weight, this is the book for you. Refreshing, honest, and empowering.

this book is rather complicated to follow, and i was not real thrilled with it.

I read this book after realizing that the weight wasn't just going to fall off after having kids. Jonny has a different approach than many of us have heard over and over. His writing is so personable and I laughed out loud quite a few times. Many of us know people who have done great on diets. Many diets haven't worked for us. Most of us have the wrong idea of the word 'diet'. Jonny helped me figure out what worked for me and I had a lot of fun in the process. I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in their health.

I've recently completed reading Shape Up and was really inspired by the approach taken by the author. He really nails it on the head with his observation that one diet/healthy lifestyle program does not fit all. Our bodies are different, our lifestyles are different and our preferences regarding food, exercise and life goals are different. It therefore makes sense that any health program needs to be developed on an individual basis by the person him- or herself. I know what I 'should' be eating and what exercises I 'should' be doing (from the dozens of other books I have read). This book made me feel like I want to do them - it honours choice and is firmly based in reality and a wholistic approach to wellness. I recommitted myself to a healthy body and have lost 4 pounds in the last week. And I'm not feeling under the whip of any diet/exercise regime. An inspiring, informative and sensible book.

Mr. Bowden's "Shape Up!" Plan makes *intuitive* sense. Simply put, the person on the plan creates his or her own strategy to lose weight. His tool is information, and he provides great frameworks for continuing your path to good health, *as well as for creating a sound mind.*

One drawback is that, although I generally enjoy an informal writing style, I find myself annoyed at his. The text also contains way too many typos. (...Maybe it's just my edition? Is there more than one?).

I give the book 2 crooked thumbs up. Regardless of his or her weight, every person should hear what this man has to say.

If your planing to run a marathon is would be one of the best books you'll read for training. Training is very important because with out training what would be the point of running. This book will give u tips on running, eating, keeping track of your running, how to set little goals, and how impotant it is to finish. A marathon is not some thing you do when you wake up in the morning. You have to training consistently.

The concept of this book was very appealing to me. Not only does the book take you through a very simple approach to fitness for "busy" people, it seems to be a perfect program for the average person who doesn't enjoy "working out". What can be easier than a program that teaches you to run, but if you are too tired; walk! This program teaches you to be the judge of your own progress. I liked the way author, Sue Ward, told some success stories of "average" people who followed the program and what a thrill it was for them to achieve their goals. The section on stretching and exercising was very easy to follow with just the right combination of pictures and words. This book combines a total fitness guideline (including eating) that I belive is simple to follow and easy to stick with. Especially, for someone who isn't a "super" athlete.

Sue Ward has written a book that can get anyone up off the couch and out the door to get active. Age doesn't matter. Whether a person wants to develop his or her own walking program, or whether someone wants to become a marathon runner, this book works equally well. "Just Cruising--Simple Fitness for Busy People" is the best motivator and guideline for fitness that we have seen.

Sue Ward's philosophy of exercise and healthy eating mirror our own. In our cookbook, we teach people how to eat healthy food and how to get active. There are no "magic bullets" that will make someone healthy; it's up to the individual to take action. That doesn't mean that exercise and healthy cooking need to be difficult chores. "Just Cruising" shows people the easy way to get fit. Thanks, Sue.

This is a very well written approach to the common sense of staying fit. Not only did it give me a simple and efffective program to follow but, Sue wrote it in a way that made me feel like she was right there with me. Whenever I needed a lift , I just went back to chapter 1 and "Joyce". The pressure is off! Enjoy this book.

This book is truly inspiring. I am an avid exerciser but never ran a marathon. I have cycled done step aerobics, weight trained,and swam at my health club. This book has gotten me to hit the pavement outside and enjoy another form of exercise. All of the warm up exercises can be used for any form of exercises even walking.

Arrived promptly. Book in excellent condition. Very happy and satisfied with book and service. Would purchase from again.

I struggled for a long time trying to lose weight. Once I got this book, I realized that although I was exercising and eating a decent amount of calories, I was eating WAY too much fat. I cut back to the requisite amount for my height and frame, and voila!, I started losing weight immediately. I've lost almost 20 pounds in the last 11 months, and I feel much more knowledgeable and in control now that I'm armed with the information I learned from this book. I always recommend it to people I know who are trying to lose weight.

After seeing so many great reviews of this book here, I borrowed it from the library. The book is a 10-week plan to improved fitness and is more geared to women. Each week, Kathy focuses on one nutrition concept and one body part--for example, Week 1 is "Fat and Abs." After a few pages describing the concepts for the week, there are a series of worksheets to help you keep track of your exercise and eating for that week. This format continues for all 10 weeks, which means that the bulk of the book is made up of the worksheets rather than actual information. At the end of the book, Kathy has included sections on stretches and toning exercises for the entire body. Both sections are nice illustrated with pictures of Kathy performing the moves, and each move is described in detail.

Being someone who has exercised regularly for years and who knows basic nutrition, I didn't feel like I learned anything from this book. However, I did like the idea of keep specific logs of my eating and exercise habits, so I might try to incorporate that from this book. Even though this book wasn't really for me, it would be great for someone wanting to get started on the path to healthy eating and exercise but who has no idea where to begin. Kathy is extremely non-threatening, and she takes you through everything you need to know step-by-step. However, you should be aware that if you follow Kathy's plan, you will need to obtain a separate book that lists fat and calorie contents for foods; Kathy makes several recommendations for these at the start of her book.

While I wouldn't call this book an unqualified success for me, it's definitely one of my most valued resources for fitness for the strength training aspect alone.

I have several books on strength training for women, but this one is definitely my favorite. Each week of the ten calls for a slightly different set of 12 toning exercises. Every week Kathy emphasizes a particular body part/muscle group - for example, abs, back, or shoulders - and there may be several exercises that week for that particular body part. Each week also includes exercises that work just about every major part of your body. By doing the full ten-week cycle, you'll have worked each muscle group pretty well, and there is plenty of room for improvement by adding weights, sets and/or repetitions.

There are clear black-and-white photographs demonstrating how to perform the exercises. All you need are three sets of dumbbells to start with (e.g., 3 lb., 5 lb. and 8 lb.), a chair, and a firm pillow. The calf exercise calls for a step (like those used in aerobic step programs), but if you have stairs in your home that will work fine, too.

The other aspects of the book - nutrition and diet advice, stretching, etc. - round out the information and give you a complete basis for fitness, although I don't focus on cutting out total fat grams as much as Kathy suggests. I've come to believe that keeping track of total calories, combined with striving to meet the USDA's food pyramid diet guidelines, is best, with fat being given secondary consideration. But that's just me.

The logs are handy and would be great if you just want to treat it like a ten-week "course curriculum," but I have been logging my food and exercise independently of the book and just using the book as a reference. Still, even though I'm not using the logs or adhering strictly to the ten-week program, I find this book invaluable for my basic strength training routine.

I've just ordered my third copy of this book, because I love it so much. I really helps to teach you about fitness and nutrition gradually, rather than throwing everything at you at once -- it's all about life style changes, not a quick fix. It's also been a great way to get me on track when I've slipped a little bit, or need to refocus on nutrition. It's a wonderful tool!

Long after completing it, the rich canvas Mr. Correa paints in this page-turning thriller is still vivid in my mind. Highly recommended!

This is an excellent book, a real page turner... yet the author did his research regarding the Hepatitis C Virus. He combines fiction (or is it?) with reality.

If Kokopelli Theory is any indication of his talents, here's to hoping that Kevin Correa has a long career as a fiction writer ahead of him. His first novel is about as tight, well thought out, plausible and just plain exciting as I have read in years. Intrigue, international cover-ups, murder, you name it. This is a page turner in the truest sense.

I never have taken the time to write a review, but I felt I HAD to after reading The Kokopelli Theory. What a fascinating premise! The book spins a wonderful suspense involving the origins of the deadly Hepatitus C virus. It was all very convincing, though I know it is fiction. There were excellent twists that made this one of the best reads I've had in ages. This book kept me reading and reading until I finished--In a single sitting! A friend recommended it to me, knowing I loved this genre, and I've been spreading the word ever since. Hard to believe this is Kevin Correa's first novel. He reads like a very seasoned author. I've been checking the listings, hoping for a second book! Thank you Mr. Correa for such a fantastic ride.

Deftly written by Kevin Correa, The Kokopelli Theory is a dark and compelling novel about conspiracy, and one man's quest to bring the truth to light. When graduate student Sean Graham pursues his theory considering the true origin of the Hepatitis C Virus, he finds himself drawn into a maze of rituals, blackmail, and ruthless hidden figures that threaten his life and test his resolve. An exciting saga with twists and turns, The Kokopelli Theory is original and highly recommended reading!

I read this book with my wife each taking assignments and reporting back after a day or two. What an incredible read and experience. There is a wealth of challanging material in this book to help anyone wishing to expand themselves into a more thoughtful person.

A pure blessing that has potential and material to make a substancial upswing in one's life.
Rocco

I have been a fan of the Merills, since their synergistic work with Stephen Covey with "First Things First".

I am not married yet, nor do I have a job, but I find this book so practical and I am convinced as I grow up into the various future stages of my life, the wisdom within it, will become more and more obvious.

I really like the idea that balance is not in "balancing the scale" but in "balancing".

The sections that deals with Time Matters and Money Matters, is worth more than the price of the book. When I was browsing through the book, and got to read the Money Matrix diagram, I almost jumped out of my skin. I always felt the Time Matrix is always applicable to one's personal finance. I was so delighted to know the Merrills felt the same and has wrote and developed it further in this book. The book also feature a quote from my favorite personal finance guru, Robert Kiyosaki.

If you have a friend who is getting married, this would be an excellent gift to a newly wed couple. I recently gifted one to my best friend. Since the book is quite expensive for us living in India, I along with a group of friends, decided to give it together.

It's a book worth to be made a family heirloom. I am sure anyone would find it helpful. Its a rare diamond in the overly cluttered world of self-help books. Most self-help books offer advice, but ended up with platitudes and rehash of ideas. We need books like this one.

Another beautiful aspect to this book is the author's recognition that more than offering answers to people, it is more important to help people develop their ability to find the answer within. This is what they called navigational intelligence. It is the effort to develop personal conscience, and listening to it.

Its a book that will never leave my reading desk and will be refered to again and again and again, till I end this life and buried six feet under.

Thanks Roger and Rebecca for an enduring legacy for generations to come. I pray more and more people will embrace your message. If we all do the world will be a better place to live in.

New books telling you how to improve your life come off the presses every week, maybe every day. Some are bad, and you realize you have wasted your time. Some are average, and you might learn a few new things, but they aren't all that memorable. Some are great, and you go back to them again and again. "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is one of the great books. Years later people remember it, talk about it, and reread it.

"Life Matters" is a great book. It covers a lot of good ideas, the thoughts and observations are well presented, and the book reads quickly.

The first chapter starts off talking about what is important in life. The authors focus on four areas: work, family, time, and money. They have a quiz to help in your self-assessment of how you are doing in each of these four areas. A big message of this book is there doesn't have to be conflict between the four areas.

The next chapter covers three things you have to do in any area of your life. The three "gotta do's" are:

1) Validate your expectations. You have to confront reality, for if you have an unrealistic expectation you will be frustrated. The authors make the point that the direction you are heading is more important than how fast you are going.

2) Optimize Effort. Look for ways to get the maximum benefit for your effort, and make sure your decisions are aligned with your goals.

3) Develop your "Navigational" intelligence. This is the ability to be aware of your changing environment, so that what looked like an important task at the start of the day may have to take a back seat when your boss gives you a new assignment, or a child needs attention.

The next four chapters are on: work, family, time, and money, with a chapter on each area. The authors weave each of the above three "gotta do's" into each area. For each area they explore different ways people see the area, for example how do you see your family, or your money. And then they discuss what is the reality. They have a list of "optimizers" which are techniques for getting the maximum benefit for your effort. And they talk about how to be flexible when situations change.

"Seven Habits" mentions a Time Matrix, which is a two dimensional matrix based on how important something is, and how urgent it is. Many people waste time on things that aren't important, or get caught up doing things that are important and urgent. Stephen Covey explores why doing things that aren't urgent, but important, can make a great difference in your life. For me one of the gems of "Life Matters" was exploring this same matrix in relation to money. The Merrill's point is that it is best to invest your money with the same Quadrant II focus, things that aren't urgent, but are important. For me, that idea alone was worth reading the book. There were a number of similar gems scattered through the book.

The last chapter was titled "Wisdom Matters" and here the authors explore why wisdom is important, and how to improve your wisdom. One of the points they strongly make is to develop an ongoing daily self-important program. The idea is to spend a few minutes each day improving your understanding of life, and how to make better decisions.

This is a great book. If you are interested in improving your life, buy this book, read this book, and then reread it. It will help you get better control of your life. For as the Merrills say, life does matter.

This book is one of many that build off Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," and is a more in-depth discussion of prioritizing (Living in Quadrant II for those who speak Covey). This book is divided into four sections that reflect the four biggest concerns Americans face--the workplace, the family, time, and money. The basic message of the book is that one must think in terms of "investing," whether it be money, time, or effort. It is important to examine what one invests in so that maximum returns can be paid on that investment. As an example, investing money in a car yeilds a much lower return (a negative return) than investing in a mutual fund. Investing time in televison watching yields a much lower return than helping your child with his homework. Investing in effort in a long-term project that is still months away yields a much higher return than filling out some pretty-unnecessary paperwork. Other commentators are correct when they say that the examples of theory-in-action can be fairly unrealistic (even though they really happened!), but they illustrate the authors' points well. I would first recommend the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. If you find that helpful (and I imagine you will), this book is an excellent follow-up to it.

Prioritizing the building blocks of life - family, work, money and time - is paramount to happiness. Some people do it unconsciously by living within their intellectual and monetary expectations. Others need a framework for balance, such as the one that authors A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill provide. To achieve personal balance, the authors suggest becoming a better team player, working more effectively, learning about finances and setting home and work priorities. They establish the goal of building a strong family, centered around parental "family leadership." Do they successfully address the knotty issues they raise? Yes, in a folksy way. This is a useful self-help manual with checklists, self-assessments and personal anecdotes, which are sometimes touching, but sometimes impractical or saccharine. Though the management advice dons motivational language, the sections on family and work are particularly worthwhile. The authors deliver a solid antidote to misplaced modern values, albeit wrapped in some fluffy trappings. We recommend this book to corporate officers and human resource personnel, as well as to individuals seeking balance.

Well written and he knows what he is talking about. I have started doing the cleanse and it is just as he described.

Specially now that its role on gallstone disease isn't that clear. But then the author doesn't make it easy on himself. The very few studies he references aren't even identified in detail, he merely redirects the reader to his other book, time and time again. Though there seems to be some good advice in the book, some of these studies are way too old.
He points to a single circadian rhythm, not even acknowledging the current assumption that divides people into "owls" and "early birds". He lumps every alcoholic beverage together, not caring for studies that wine may have huge benefits. And he seems to have skipped the whole debate on the needed amount of water per day, which may not be the 8 glasses accepted until now. He also seems to believe that green tea has no caffeine in it -it has almost as much as black tea. In fact he regards caffeine with the same disgust that doctors show for cholesterol, when the current view is that it functions as the very delivery system for tea's antioxidants.
He repeats over and over how his other book reveals the "true" causes for this and that; and the bibliography section consists merely of his own books, with just two or three more, mostly dating from circa 1990. Not surprisingly, he also considers the spiritual method he devised to be "the most perfect way to harmonize the physical and the spiritual" or whatever. I think it's absurd that, having not properly followed a thorough, source-contrasting method of research or exposition on the physical realm, he then feels no qualms about casually veering off into spiritual matters, even going on to "design" sacred chanting. I'll bet he takes credit for that as well. His method for removing gallstones is obviously "the best", if only because he "tested and improved upon" it. But then he's not really a great communicator, his English is sometimes lacking. That may be one reason. Yet his solipsistic disregard for even quoting external sources is apparent from page one. In fact, if you go to his website, you soon find out that he no longer answers questions, due to "his schedule being too busy". I tell you, spending your time re-reading one's own books is clearly a time-consuming, fast-lane way to oblivion.

ONE LAST QUESTION !!!: If cholesterol's only role is to repair arteries, as the author emphatically states, why does it keep attaching itself to the walls long after they are oversaturated to the breaking point with it ?

this book is a wonderful tool, very clear on what to do and where to get the simple products to do the cleanse, even my husband is doing it!!! It really is easy!!!

This book provides a very detailed explanation of all the affects of Liver and Gallbladder congestion. Andreas comes across as very knowledgeable and experienced in this area. Even though you can find the recipe for a cleanse on sites like curezone, it is very helpful to become fully informed on the reasons for the cleanse. I had heard of this cleanse years ago, but didn't actually have the "guts" to do the cleanse until I read this book.

All I can say is that this really works! I actually am looking forward to my second cleanse. I feel great and have more energy. My Gallbladder pain has dissappeared. You owe this to yourself to try, you won't be dissappointed! Everything he said would happen did, and I was dubious at first.